(Credit: Mercedes-Benz)
The first station in Mercedes-Benz's new EV charging network is now open in Georgia at the company's USA headquarters.
Mercedes will invest over $1 billion in the network, and will build "at least" 400 hubs, including 2,500 total chargers, by 2030. The next stations go in across the Southeast by the end of 2023, as well as abroad in China and Germany.
(Credit: Mercedes-Benz)“In North America, our strategy is clear: focusing on where EV drivers are and where they are going to enhance the North American EV charging map while setting new standards for quality and customer experience," says Franz Reiner, Chairman of the Board of Management of Mercedes-Benz Mobility AG.
The stations will be open for drivers of all EV brands, though only Mercedes owners can reserve spots in advance. They will be built by ChargePoint but wrapped in Mercedes branding and equipped with both CCS and Tesla-backed NACS ports.
At 400kWh, the stations will offer just about the fastest charging speeds possible, taking vehicles from 10-80% in 20 minutes, though that will likely depend on the specific vehicle. Station availability can be viewed from the street, with 15-foot pylons that indicate if the charging stall is in use, free, or reserved.
(Credit: Mercedes-Benz)Drivers can expect a "fast, reliable, premium" experience. Select locations will have a charging lounge where they can wait, grab a snack, shop, and use the restroom. The next few hubs in Texas, Florida, Alabama, and Georgia will be located near shopping malls and Buc-ee's travel centers to help pass the time.
The electricity dispensed from the new stations will come from 100% renewable energy sources, thanks to a partnership with MN8 Energy to help secure alternative fuel options in the area, such as solar or wind. Overhead, a solar canopy keeps out the rain while generating "passive clean electricity."
(Credit: Mercedes-Benz)"MN8’s deep experience as an owner-operator of enterprise renewable energy solutions brings unparalleled asset-ownership expertise at the largest scale – a critical component of delivering a high-quality, reliable and premium experience to EV drivers," Mercedes says.
(Credit: Mercedes-Benz)While it sounds like a premium place to charge for all EV drivers, Mercedes drivers enjoy specific perks. In addition to the ability to reserve spots, they will be able to seamlessly pull up, plug in, and disconnect while payment processes automatically. Starting with the 2024 model year, Mercedes EVs receive two free years of charging at the hubs. Current drivers will receive six months free.
Mercedes is one of the many brands that has signed a deal with Tesla to give its drivers access to the Supercharger network, perhaps the biggest shift in the charging landscape we'll see in 2024 and 2025. A group of seven automakers, not including Mercedes, are also building a new network with 30,000 public chargers by 2024.